Free Web NovelChapter 36: Chapter 36
Fleur moved through her suite in a flurry of urgency.
The longer Christian remained at Fontainebleau, the greater the chance that tensions between him and Damien would erupt into something far more serious.
Neither man was known for backing down.
One was a powerful royal with centuries of influence behind his bloodline.
The other was an Alpha King whose dominance could silence entire packs with a single glance.
Allowing them to continue circling each other was a disaster waiting to happen.
Without bothering to change out of her gown, Fleur grabbed a long crimson overcoat and slipped it over her shoulders. She hastily gathered her belongings, packed her suitcase, and double-checked that she hadn’t left anything behind.
Several minutes later, she stepped out of her suite.
Christian was already waiting.
His broad frame leaned casually against the wall outside her door, though the tension radiating from him suggested there was nothing casual about his mood.
His silver eyes swept briefly over her before settling on her luggage.
Without a word, he reached for it.
"Alpha Wayne, I can carry my own bags." Fleur attempted to take them back, but Christian ignored her completely.
The Alpha simply continued down the corridor as though she hadn’t spoken.
His wolf clearly considered the matter settled.
Fleur sighed. Some things never changed.
Fortunately, a hotel employee hurried over moments later and relieved Christian of the heavier luggage before his shoulder could suffer further damage.
They proceeded toward the underground parking garage.
The snowstorm outside had intensified considerably. Wind howled against the building while fresh snow continued blanketing the roads.
The attendant loaded Fleur’s belongings into the trunk of a striking red Porsche Cayenne.
Only then did Fleur notice something alarming.
There was no driver. No security convoy. No guards. No Lucas. No Syrus. No one.
Just Christian.
Fleur stared, shocked. "Where is everyone?"
Christian opened the driver’s side door.
"They aren’t here."
That answer helped absolutely no one. Her annoyance immediately surfaced.
The Alpha King was injured, running a fever, and had somehow decided it was perfectly reasonable to drive several hours through a snowstorm alone.
Typical. Infuriatingly typical.
As Christian prepared to slide behind the wheel, Fleur stepped forward.
"Wait."
He paused.
"Let me drive."
One dark eyebrow rose. "Why would you drive when I’m perfectly capable?"
Fleur rolled her eyes.
There it was, the Alpha ego.
"Your shoulder is injured." She crossed her arms. "And you’ve already driven all the way here."
Christian opened his mouth, while Fleur pointed a finger at him.
"Do not argue."
His lips twitched. The tiny reaction nearly made her suspicious.
"Let me drive." She softened her tone. "Please."
To her complete astonishment, Christian tossed her the keys.
"Fine."
Fleur blinked.
"What?"
"You’re driving."
His answer came immediately. The simplicity of it left her speechless. She had prepared an entire argument, but apparently she hadn’t needed it.
Christian simply watched her with faint amusement.
Fleur quickly caught the keys before he changed his mind. Moments later, she settled into the driver’s seat.
The heater blasted warm air throughout the cabin.
Removing her overcoat, she tossed it onto the rear seat and adjusted the controls.
"D’accord." She gripped the steering wheel. "Let’s go."
Christian settled into the passenger seat while Fleur guided the vehicle onto the snow-covered road.
At first, everything proceeded smoothly. Then the snowfall worsened. Visibility steadily deteriorated.
Snowflakes swirled like white wolves dancing through the darkness. The road gradually disappeared beneath layers of fresh snow.
Fleur tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Her confidence began evaporating.
"Oh no."
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Christian glanced toward her.
"What?"
"I’ve never driven in a snowstorm this bad."
The admission sounded embarrassingly small. The road ahead had transformed into a sea of white. Even the lane markings had vanished. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Christian studied her for several moments, then he spoke quietly.
"Pull over."
Fleur frowned. "What?"
"I’ll drive." His voice sounded strange. For the first time since leaving the gala, Fleur looked at him properly, and immediately felt her stomach drop.
Christian was slumped against the seat. His face looked flushed. His normally sharp eyes appeared slightly unfocused.
The realization hit her instantly.
"Christian."
Her voice sharpened. The SUV rolled onto the shoulder. She unfastened her seatbelt and leaned toward him.
The moment her hand touched his forehead, she recoiled.
"Moon Goddess."
His skin was burning.
"You’re running a fever."
Christian closed his eyes and sighed. "I’m fine."
"You are not fine." The irritation in her voice intensified. "How long have you felt like this?"
There was no answer which was answer enough.
Fleur muttered several colorful words under her breath.
Stubborn wolf. He had always been like that.
"I’m perfectly capable of driving."
Christian reached for his seatbelt. Fleur immediately slapped his hand away.
"No."
The command surprised both of them. Christian blinked, stunned. Fleur was already searching the glove compartment.
Thankfully, there was a first aid kit.
She dug through the contents until she found fever medication. Grabbing a bottle of water, she thrust both toward him.
"Take these."
Christian looked unimpressed.
"I don’t need them."
"You do."
"I’ll heal."
"You’ll pass out first."
Christian glared. Fleur glared back.
The battle lasted several seconds. Eventually, the Alpha surrendered. Mostly because he was too exhausted to continue arguing.
Fleur watched until he swallowed the medication. Only then was she finally able to relax, if only a bit.
Even now, he continued shivering despite the heater running at maximum.
Concern tightened inside her chest. Without thinking, she grabbed her overcoat from the back seat and draped it over him.
Christian’s wolf immediately approved.
The man himself merely watched her.
"We need to get back to the city."
Fleur touched his forehead again. Had she known he was developing a fever, she would have insisted they remain at the hotel. Now they were trapped on a remote highway surrounded by dense forest and worsening weather.
There was nothing in this area––no hotels, no hospitals, not even a single gas station nearby.
This was rapidly becoming the worst night imaginable.
Outside, the storm intensified. Snow already buried the windshield. The road vanished completely beneath thick white drifts.
Determined to continue, Fleur pressed the ignition.
The engine sputtered... Then died.
Her stomach sank.
She tried again.
Nothing.
Again.
Still nothing.
The realization settled over her like ice––they were stranded. Utterly alone.
Fleur stared through the windshield at the endless wall of falling snow.
Then she looked at Christian.
His eyes were closed. His breathing was slower now. Perhaps he had fallen asleep.
Even feverish and exhausted, he somehow remained unfairly handsome.
The thought irritated her. Shaking it away, she assessed the situation.
If the snow blocking the vehicle could be cleared, perhaps the engine would start.
They couldn’t remain trapped here; Christian’s condition might worsen.
Swallowing her fear, she reached for the door handle.
Before she could open it, a powerful hand closed around her wrist.
Fleur froze, her pulse jumping.
Christian’s eyes opened wide; they were bloodshot from fever. Yet his wolf still burned fiercely beneath them.
"Where exactly do you think you’re going, baby?"
His voice came out rough and weak, but the possessive authority remained unmistakable.
Fleur opened her mouth to reply, but before she could answer, Christian tugged.
The world tilted. A startled gasp escaped her lips.
One moment she was sitting behind the wheel. The next, she found herself firmly deposited on the Alpha King’s lap.
And judging by the look in his fever-bright eyes, Christian had absolutely no intention of letting her leave.
